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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 25) confirmed a case of Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) infection and urged people to guard against the disease.
Details of the case are as follow:
Age: 7
Sex: Male
Date of onset: April 14
Symptom: oral ulcers and vesicles on hands and feet
Present condition: Recovered. Admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital on April 15 and discharged on April 17.
Travel history: Travelled to the Mainland earlier this month
Home contacts: His parents were asymptomatic. His 10-year-old sister developed oral lesions and rash on hands and feet on April 21. She was stable and pending further investigation. The primary school where the boy is studying has been informed of the case and given health advice. The school is now under medical surveillance.
Cumulative total of EV-71 cases in 2006: 1
* imported: 0
* local: 0
* To be classified:1
Total number of EV 71 cases in recent years: 60 in 1998, 22 in 1999, 6 in 2000, 30 in 2001, 5 in 2002, 1 in 2003, 35 in 2004 and 8 in 2005.
A CHP spokesman said it was essential that people stay alert to the threat of EV-71 infection and take the following preventive measures in prevention of the disease:
* Wash hands before eating and after going to toilet and changing diapers;
* Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing;
* Maintain good ventilation;
* Clean thoroughly toys or appliances which are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.
Parents should seek medical advice if their children develop symptoms of hand-foot-mouth disease.
Children suffering from the infection should stay at home and avoid contacting other children until the illness is over.
For more information, members of the public may visit the CHP's website(http://www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:32
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